Erling Bengtsson

BENGTSSON, ERLING BLONDAL Professor Erling Blondal Bengtsson, cellist, professor emeritus of cello, U of M School of Music, passed away June 6, 2013, age 81, at his home with his wife Merete (and his cat, Kiska) by his side. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark March 8, 1932. His father Valdemar Bengtsson, Danish violinist and his Icelandic mother, Sigridur Nielsen, pianist. A long career has ended. Erling B. Bengtsson gave his first concert in Copenhagen when he was 4 ½ years old, 1936 and ended abruptly when he got a stroke in 2007. A larger-than-life sized bronze statue of Erling Blondal Bengtsson stands in front of Reykjavik's Concert Hall in Iceland's capital city. Erected in 1970, the statue, by the Icelandic sculptress Olof Palsdottir, is the testimonial to the esteem in which the legendary cellist is held by all of Scandinavia. Erling Blondal Bengtsson regularly performed in Europe, the United States, South America and Russia. His repertoire was all-encompassing and he has championed the works of leading Scandinavian composers; as well as performing the Scandinavian premieres of cello concertos by Britten, Barber, Khatchaturian, Delius, Lutoslawsky and Walton; and, indeed, the latter two, themselves, conducted several performances each with Mr. Bengtsson as soloist. A consistent recording artist, with over 50 albums, he had, along with the complete standard repertoire for cello and orchestra, recorded many contemporary concertos, most of which were dedicated to him. In 1985, his recordings of the six Cello Suites of J.S. Bach on the Danish label DANACORD, was selected as "The choice of the year" by the American recording magazine Fanfare. In 1998, his recording of the Zoltan Kodaly Solo Sonata, was chosen by the "GUINNESS CLASSICAL 1000" as being one of the top 1000 recordings of all time. At the age 16, Erling Blondal Bengtsson was accepted by the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he took up studies with Gregor Piatigorsky. One year later, he became Piatigorsky's instructing assistant and the following year became a faculty member of the Curtis Institute. A world-class performer who also enjoys pedagogy, Mr. Bengtsson has become a role model for a whole family of young cellists in Europe and abroad. During the course of a career spanning seven decades, he has been on the faculties of the leading conservatories of Copenhagen Denmark, Stockholm Sweden and Cologne Germany. In 1990, he returned to the United States as professor at the School of Music, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, until retiring 2006. Erling Blondal Bengtsson has been awarded the Knight, first class, of the order of Dannebrog, Denmark, and from Iceland, the Grand Knight of the Order of the Falcon. He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and has been awarded the English Hyam Morrison Gold Medal for Cello. In 1993, he was honored with the title "Chevalier du Violoncelle" by Indiana University, School of Music, Eva Janzer Memorial Cello Center. In 2001, he received the Manchester International Cello Festival's "Award of Distinction." Named "Premier Master Cellist 2005" by The Detroit Cello Society,U.S.A. The IFPI ( The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) Honorary Award 2006. Copenhagen, Denmark. VELUX Fondens Honorary Award 2011, Denmark. Jon Sigurdsson Award from Iceland 2013. A DVD was released November 2006, "The Cello and I" to celebrate EBB's 70 years on the concert stage. Erling Blondal Bengtsson is survived by his wife Merete of 55 years and two sons, Henrik, Stefan; and grandson Christoffer. Daughters-in-law, Hanne BB and Nina Kavtaradze He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather; and fondly remembered for his never ending optimism, sense of humor and kindness. "His shining personality, sublime musicianship, and kindness were qualities much treasured by all who knew him." (Dean Paul Boylan) Cremation has taken place. In honor of Prof. Bengtsson's wish no service will be held. A burial will take place in Iceland at a later date. Please sign his Guestbook at www.erlingbb.com